A HAIR and beauty salon has proved to be a cut above the rest by winning a place in the regional finals of a national competition, today.

Saks, in Durham Market Place, has reached the Northern finals of the L'Oreal Colour Trophy.

The brief was for the salon to produce what it thought would be a trendsetting look for the coming year.

Salon owner Dean Jackson said: "I am delighted to have reached the finals. It is the perfect opportunity to show just what the salon can do."

The Northern final is taking place at the University of Sheffield, where salons will compete for a place in the grand final to be held in May, at the Grosvenor House Hotel, in London.